Attacked by enraged cabbie

el_presidente

I was cycling home last night about 7.30 on the Marylebone Road, probably doing 18 mph heading west past Gloucester Place, when a black cab overtook me very very close. I'm used to cabbies giving you the minimum of room, but this was ridiculous and very dangerous. Almost in self-preservation I slapped the side of the cab - because it was so close I hit it a bit harder then I meant to and there was a loud bang. There was no damage at all to the cab though.

Next thing I know the cab pulls in sharply in front of me blocking my path. I check over my shoulder, clear, so go to overtake on the outside. As I'm overtaking he pulls out again sharply, basically driving straight at me. I manage to avoid him by swerving drastically into the next lane (it's a 3-lane road). Luckily the car in this lane isn't too close so there's no contact but I couldn't believe he'd just done this to me, this was an outrageously dangerous manouevre.

Now given I was unharmed and past the cab I should have just kept going but I was so amazed he'd tried this stunt that I stopped. Meanwhile he's jumped out of his cab and advances on me screaming abuse and whirling his fists "don't hit my cab, come on, hit me". He does actually throw a punch (which I avoided) and he kicked my back wheel (no damage though). I advised him that he shouldn't overtake so dangerously close and retreat to the pavement in front of several amazed passers-by. He screams more abuse then eventually goes back to his cab. I'm not sure what his fare thought of this display.

Anyway just in case any London commuters encounter him the cab is a grey-painted black cab reg LP52 YPU, and the matter is now in the hands of the Metropolitan Police.

graeme_s-2

Crikey

I bet that got the adrenaline pumping didn't it? Sounds terrifying.

If it's any consolation his blood pressure'll probably get him before the Met catch up with him. What a nutter :shock:

Glad you survived the experience unscathed.

el_presidente

I had to sit on a wall for five minutes to compose myself, I was a little shook up. Then I went to the pub

Gussio

Glad that you survived to fight another day!

dang65

Can you imagine what it must be like driving round London all day long? I'm surprised more of them don't go postal to be honest! They should have permanent blood pressure and heart rate monitors attached and hooked up to the ignition. Above a certain rate and the whole thing switches off.

jedster

They should have permanent blood pressure and heart rate monitors attached and hooked up to the ignition. Above a certain rate and the whole thing switches off.

Good idea! Except I guess they'd just take a load of tranqs which might not improve overall safety...

el_presidente

The cops want me to go to the police station tonight to make a statement


aaah the sweet smell of justice hangs heavy in the air

Clever Pun

el_presidente wrote:

The cops want me to go to the police station tonight to make a statement


aaah the sweet smell of justice hangs heavy in the air

and you're still traumatised aren't you?

mailmannz

You sound like you are still in shock mate

Hang the bastard!

Mailman

squired

Its horrible when that happens. I've only had something like that once. A local council van/truck (sort of half way between) was overtaking me and then decided to turn left without indicating, with me on the inside. Luckily I managed to turn left with him to avoid being taken down, before stopping. I didn't say or do anything - I just stopped due to the shock of it. The driver also stopped, but he jumped out of the vehicle, came over, shouted abuse at me for being on the road and tried to throw a punch at me. I was only 17 at the time, so didn't think to take down any details, so I'm glad that you have in this case.

spen666

el_presidente wrote:

The cops want me to go to the police station tonight to make a statement


aaah the sweet smell of justice hangs heavy in the air

Think carefully between now and when you go to the police station so that you get your story straight. Make some notes to help you if necessary.

Make sure your account is complete and credible ( ie don't let your imagination embellish the incident)

Hope police do follow it up. You have done everyone- cyclist/ motorist/ pedestrian a favour by reporting this person for his dangerous actions

el_presidente

spen666 wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

The cops want me to go to the police station tonight to make a statement


aaah the sweet smell of justice hangs heavy in the air

Think carefully between now and when you go to the police station so that you get your story straight. Make some notes to help you if necessary.

Make sure your account is complete and credible ( ie don't let your imagination embellish the incident)

Hope police do follow it up. You have done everyone- cyclist/ motorist/ pedestrian a favour by reporting this person for his dangerous actions

thanks for your advice Spen, makes good sense

Gussio

It is entirely likely that in that part of town (i.e. up market and on the edge of the congestion zone) that your story will be backed up by one form of camera or another. Best of luck.

st199ml

Amended due to double post

st199ml

I'm sorry, a black cabbie did this!? I'm amazed, getting out of the cab and showing that level of aggression is basically giving away your badge.

Report him to the Public Carriage Office immediately. Here's the official regulations on cabbie's behaviour:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/ ... f-Laws.pdf

Page 14 (Penalty level 1 is a £200 fine):

37. Various acts of misbehaviour by cab driver (Act of 1843, s. 28; Act of
1831, s. 56)
(1) The following offences are punishable by penalty Level 1 or two months
imprisonment:-
(a) Wanton or furious driving.
(b) Causing hurt or damage to any person by carelessness or wilful
misbehaviour.
(c) Drunkenness during employment.
(d) Use of insulting or abusive language during employment.
(e) Use of insulting gestures during employment.
(f) Any misbehaviour during employment.
(Act of 1843, s. 28).
(2) The following offences are punishable by penalty Level 1.
(a) Injuring or endangering the life, limbs or property of any persons by
intoxication, wanton or furious driving or any other wilful misconduct.
(b) Using abusive or insulting language or rude behaviour towards any
person.
(c) Assaulting or obstructing any police officer in the execution of his duty.
(Act of 1831, s. 56).
(3) This type of behaviour is also contrary to laws of general application, for
example the Public Order Act 1986, carrying where appropriate heavy fines
and/or imprisonment.

Cunobelin

el_presidente wrote:

The cops want me to go to the police station tonight to make a statement


aaah the sweet smell of justice hangs heavy in the air

I think I misread your post........

I thought you said you slapped the side of the cab......

Surely you meant that it was so close you had no option but to fend yourself off the side of the vehicle - an innocent and defensive action totally misinterpreted by the driver.

spen666

Cunobelin wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

The cops want me to go to the police station tonight to make a statement


aaah the sweet smell of justice hangs heavy in the air

I think I misread your post........

I thought you said you slapped the side of the cab......

Surely you meant that it was so close you had no option but to fend yourself off the side of the vehicle - an innocent and defensive action totally misinterpreted by the driver.

That was what I read in his post

dazzawazza

I'm not an inner city commuter; zones 2/3 and 4 is my commuting domain so I don't come across black cabs very often.
However, over the last month I've had to travel from Queens Park to Angel several times, which includes Marylebone Road. The aggression of Black Cabbies has amazed me. I've had many very close encounters, even when there was a red light only yards away.
In some cases the Cabbie made sure that the front of the lights was blocked so I had to sit behind breathing diesel fumes.
This was a bit of a shock, because the few times I've been in a cab they have been very friendly fellas. Actually I’ve even had a nice chat to a cabbie at the front of lights in Queensway about cycling.

Cunobelin

Slightly OT....

Its up to the passengers!

I for one have asked a taxi to pull over to the side of the road and got out when I have felt their driving was substandard.

Once when a cyclist was cut up by a left hook, and the other when he got his mobile phone out.

el_presidente

spen666 wrote:

Cunobelin wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

The cops want me to go to the police station tonight to make a statement


aaah the sweet smell of justice hangs heavy in the air

I think I misread your post........

I thought you said you slapped the side of the cab......

Surely you meant that it was so close you had no option but to fend yourself off the side of the vehicle - an innocent and defensive action totally misinterpreted by the driver.

That was what I read in his post

& that gentlemen is exactly what I told the police. The young constable I spoke to seemed a bit world weary, he told me how he had spent most of the day clearing up after a cabbie caused (in his words) " a very serious accident" by running a red on Westbourne Park. Be careful out there people.